JP2007275103A - Sewing machine and spool holder base - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To install thread bobbins of a plurality of colors for use in sewing to corresponding spool holder pins correctly and yet set threads onto thread guides corresponding to the spool holder pins correctly. <P>SOLUTION: All the thread colors included in the sewing data of selected embroidery patterns are stored in a sewing thread color memory (S11, S12), and it is checked up whether or not all of the first six colors stored in the sewing thread color memory are already stored in a needle bar thread color table (S13). As a result, when exchanging threads is necessary (S14:Yes), a thread color setting process for setting the colors of threads to be exchanged is executed from a plurality of thread colors stored in the sewing thread color memory (S21) to indicate by blinking display spool holder lamps and thread tension lamps at which threads need to be exchanged (S22). So, when the needle bars are exchanged and threaded (S23 to S26), spool holder lamps and thread tension lamps corresponding to the exchanged needle bars are switched to lighting display (S27 to S28). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a display means provided on a thread stand or a thread tensioner of a sewing machine, in which the thread color of an upper thread used for sewing is displayed by colored light.

  Conventionally, in order to sew a colorful embroidery pattern using a plurality of embroidery threads, a thread stand having a plurality of thread spool bars on which a plurality of thread spools can be mounted, and a plurality of needles for attaching a sewing needle to the lower end portion A needle bar mechanism in which bars (for example, 6, 9, and 12) are arranged in a line; a needle bar switching mechanism that selectively switches a needle bar that is driven up and down from the plurality of needle bars; A multi-needle sewing machine having a plurality of thread tension devices for applying tension to each of the upper threads and a plurality of balances has been put into practical use. Therefore, prior to embroidery sewing, the operator attaches the thread spools of multiple colors necessary for embroidery sewing to the thread stand and thread the upper thread fed from the thread spools into the corresponding thread tensioner and balance. It is hung and finally threaded through the eye of the sewing needle.

  By the way, in general, in the yarn path through which the upper thread fed from each thread spool is supplied to the sewing needle, the upper thread reaches the sewing needle through the thread tensioner and the balance so that the upper threads do not come into contact with each other or get tangled. The threading path is determined for each spool pin. However, as the number of stitches increases, there is a problem that the yarn hooking path is likely to be mistaken because the yarn spools and the thread tensioner are provided closer to each other. In view of this, various proposals have been made to prevent the upper thread from crossing over.

  For example, the yarn path device for a multi-needle sewing machine described in Patent Document 1 is in the vicinity of a plurality of thread guide tension plates and a plurality of thread tension members (corresponding to a thread tension device) corresponding to each of 12 needle bars. Twelve light emitting diodes are associated with each other on the yarn path. Therefore, when the operator operates the selection key on the operation panel to select the needle bar number, the light emitting diode of the threading path for threading the needle bar is turned on to prevent erroneous threading. is there.

JP 2001-54692 A (pages 4-5, FIG. 3)

  In the yarn path device of the multi-needle sewing machine described in Patent Document 1, the light emitting diodes provided in the threading path near the plurality of thread guide tension plates and near the plurality of thread tension members only light up when threading. Therefore, even if the operator knows the threading path, it is not clear which thread spool should be attached to the thread spool. In addition, since the plurality of thread tension members are provided close to each other, it is not clear which thread tension member should be threaded even if a light emitting diode is provided in the vicinity of the thread tension member. There is a possibility that the piece is mistakenly attached to the spool pin or that the thread tension member corresponding to the spool pin is mistakenly threaded. In this case, there is a problem that the upper thread is not drawn out smoothly and normal sewing cannot be performed.

  An object of the present invention is to allow a plurality of color thread spools used for sewing to be mounted on a thread stand without making a mistake and to be threaded without making a mistake on a thread path path member corresponding to the thread stand. It is.

  The sewing machine according to claim 1 includes a plurality of needle bars for sewing with a plurality of upper threads, a thread stand having a plurality of thread spool bars on which a plurality of thread spools corresponding to the plurality of needle bars can be mounted, Sewing data storage comprising a plurality of thread path path members provided on a thread path extending from a thread stand to a plurality of needle bars, and further storing sewing data including thread color information of at least the thread color of the upper thread Means, a plurality of first display means provided on the thread stand in association with a plurality of thread spool bars and capable of variably displaying the thread color with colored light or character information, and the thread read from the sewing data storage means And a first display control means for controlling the plurality of first display means to display a plurality of thread colors corresponding to the plurality of spool pins on the basis of the color information.

  When an embroidery pattern to be used for sewing is selected, the thread color information of the upper thread is read from the sewing data of the embroidery pattern, and the thread stand is associated with a plurality of thread spool bars based on the thread color information. A plurality of thread colors corresponding to the plurality of thread spools are displayed on the plurality of first display means provided on the stand as colored light or character information. Therefore, the operator can attach a thread spool having the same thread color as that indicated by the colored light or the character information displayed in this manner to the thread stand that displays the thread color.

  A sewing machine according to a second aspect is the sewing machine according to the first aspect, wherein a plurality of second display means are provided in the plurality of yarn path path members or in the vicinity thereof, and the first display control means reads the yarn read from the sewing data storage means. Based on the color information, control is performed such that a plurality of thread colors corresponding to the plurality of thread spools are displayed on the plurality of second display means with colored light.

  A sewing machine according to a third aspect is the sewing machine according to the first or second aspect, wherein the first display control means changes a display form displayed on the first display means in accordance with a state of preparation of the yarn spool on the yarn stand. .

  A sewing machine according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the sewing machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein each of the first and second display means comprises light emitting means capable of emitting colored light of a plurality of colors.

  The sewing machine according to a fifth aspect is the sewing machine according to the fourth aspect, wherein the light emitting means is composed of a full color LED.

  A sewing machine according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the sewing machine according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the first display means is configured by a display capable of displaying a thread color name as character information.

  The thread stand of claim 7 is equipped with a plurality of thread spools corresponding to a plurality of needle bars for supplying a plurality of needle threads to a sewing machine having a plurality of needle bars for sewing with a plurality of needle threads. In a thread stand having a plurality of possible spool pins, a plurality of third display means capable of displaying a thread color with colored light or character information in association with the plurality of thread spools are provided.

  Each of the plurality of thread spools on the thread stand is provided with a plurality of third display means capable of displaying the thread color with colored light or character information, so that the thread stand displays the thread color from the embroidery sewing machine. By receiving the data, the thread color is displayed by colored light or character information by the plurality of third display means. Therefore, the operator can attach a thread spool having the same thread color as that indicated by the colored light or the character information displayed in this manner to the thread stand that displays the thread color.

  The thread stand of claim 8 is the sewing machine according to claim 7, wherein the sewing machine stores second display control means for controlling the third display means and sewing data including thread color information of at least the thread color of the upper thread. Data storage means is provided, and the second display control means displays a plurality of thread colors corresponding to the plurality of spool pins on the plurality of third display means based on the thread color information read from the sewing data storage means. To control.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the thread stand according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the third display means includes light emitting means capable of emitting colored light of a plurality of colors.

  According to the invention of claim 1, a plurality of needle bars for sewing with a plurality of upper threads, and a thread stand having a plurality of thread spool bars on which a plurality of thread spools corresponding to the plurality of needle bars can be mounted In the sewing machine including a plurality of thread path path members provided on a thread path from the thread stand to the plurality of needle bars, a sewing data storage unit, a plurality of first display units, and a first display The control means is provided, so that when the selected embroidery pattern is sewn, the thread color is colored on the plurality of first display means provided for each of the plurality of spool pins based on the thread color information included in the sewing data. Displayed with light or text information. Therefore, the operator does not mistake the thread piece of the same thread color indicated by the colored light or character information displayed in this way as the other thread stand sticks, and the thread color indicated by the thread color is displayed. It can be easily and accurately mounted on the vertical bar.

  According to the invention of claim 2, a plurality of second display means are respectively provided in the plurality of yarn path path members or in the vicinity thereof, and the first display control means uses the thread color information read from the sewing data storage means. Based on this, since the plurality of second display means are controlled to display the plurality of thread colors corresponding to the plurality of spool pins with colored light, the operator can specify the thread indicated by the displayed colored light. The yarn pieces having the same thread color as the color can be easily and accurately threaded on the thread path path member on which the thread color is displayed without making a mistake with other thread path path members. Other effects similar to those of the first aspect are obtained.

  According to invention of Claim 3, since the said 1st display control means changes the display form displayed on a 1st display means according to the state of the preparation of the thread spool to a thread stand, before starting a sewing process As a preparation, whether the thread spool is mounted on the spool pin or when the thread spool is changed during sewing, the display mode is easily changed to a spool pin different from the normal display mode. And can be quickly mounted. Other effects similar to those of the first or second aspect are achieved.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, each of the first and second display means comprises a light emitting means capable of emitting colored light of a plurality of colors. The thread color of the thread spool mounted on the bar and the thread color threaded on the yarn path path member can be clearly recognized. Further, the first and second display means constituted by the light emitting means can be reduced in size, and it is advantageous in terms of installation space and cost. Other effects similar to those of any one of claims 1 to 3 are provided.

  According to invention of Claim 5, since the said light emission means was comprised by full color LED, many colored lights can be displayed by the light emission means, and it can instruct | indicate many thread colors. Other effects similar to those of the fourth aspect are achieved.

  According to the invention of claim 6, since the first display means is constituted by a display capable of displaying the thread color name as character information, the operator can change the thread color of the thread spool mounted on the spool pin to the character Can be recognized more accurately. Other effects similar to those of any one of claims 1 to 3 are provided.

  According to the invention of claim 7, a plurality of thread spools corresponding to a plurality of needle bars are mounted on a sewing machine having a plurality of needle bars for sewing with a plurality of upper threads in order to supply a plurality of upper threads. In a thread stand having a plurality of possible spool pins, a plurality of third display means capable of displaying a thread color by colored light or character information in association with the plurality of thread stand bars are provided. When the thread color display data is received from the sewing machine, the thread color is displayed by colored light by the plurality of third display means, so that the operator is instructed by the colored light or character information displayed on the third display means. A thread spool of the same thread color as the thread color can be easily and accurately mounted on a thread spool bar displaying the thread color without making a mistake with other thread spool bars.

  According to the invention of claim 8, the sewing machine has second display control means for controlling the third display means, and sewing data storage means for storing sewing data including thread color information of at least the thread color of the upper thread. The second display control means controls the plurality of third display means to display a plurality of thread colors corresponding to the plurality of thread spools on the basis of the thread color information read from the sewing data storage means. The effect similar to that of claim 1 can be obtained. Other effects similar to those of the seventh aspect are achieved.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the third display means is composed of a light emitting means capable of emitting a plurality of colors of colored light. Other effects similar to those of the seventh or eighth aspect are achieved.

  The sewing machine of this embodiment is equipped with a full-color LED on each of a plurality of thread spools provided on a thread stand and each of a plurality of thread conditioners according to the upper thread used when sewing an embroidery pattern. Furthermore, the thread color is displayed on these LEDs according to the state of preparation of the thread spool on the thread stand.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in FIG. 1, the multi-needle type embroidery sewing machine M includes a pair of left and right support legs 1, a leg column part 2 standing from the rear end part of the support leg 1, and an upper end part of the leg column part 2. An arm portion 3 extending forward from the head, a needle bar case 5 provided on the head 4 of the arm portion 3, a cylinder bed portion 6 extending forward from the lower end of the pedestal 2 and an embroidery frame (not shown). A carriage drive mechanism (not shown) that moves in the X direction and the Y direction orthogonal to the X direction via the carriage 7, and a threading mechanism (not shown) that threades the eye of the sewing needle 9 are provided. However, since the carriage driving mechanism and the threading mechanism are general configurations, the description thereof is omitted.

  A needle bar case 5 with a synthetic resin cover is attached to the head 4. Six needle bars 8 are attached to the needle bar case 5 in a left and right row. A sewing needle 9 is attached to the lower end of each needle bar 8, and six balances 10 are attached to the needle bar case 5 corresponding to each needle bar 8 in a left and right row. A synthetic resin thread tension frame 11 that is slightly inclined rearward and upward is fixed to the upper end portion of the needle bar case 5. The thread tension frame 11 corresponds to the upper thread provided to each sewing needle 9. Six thread tension devices (which correspond to a plurality of yarn path path members) 12 to 17 are provided.

  A needle bar switching mechanism (not shown) having a needle bar changing motor 64 (see FIG. 4) is provided in the arm portion 3. Furthermore, a thread cutting mechanism (not shown) for cutting the upper thread and the lower thread, a rotary hook (not shown), and the like are provided inside the front end of the cylinder bed portion 6.

  Therefore, when the needle bar changing motor 64 is driven at the time of changing the upper thread, the needle bar case 5 is driven to move in the left-right direction integrally with the thread tension frame 11 by the needle bar switching mechanism, and the six needles are driven. Of the bar 8 and the balance 10, one needle bar 8 and the balance 10 are alternatively switched to the use position at the same time. At this time, when the sewing machine motor 63 (see FIG. 4) is driven at the same time as the embroidery frame is moved, the needle bar 8 and the balance 10 at the use position are driven up and down and provided inside the cylinder bed 6. In cooperation with the rotary hook, embroidery stitches are formed on the work cloth held by the embroidery frame with upper and lower threads.

  A pair of left and right first and second thread stand 20 and 21 are provided in a V shape in a plan view in the rear half of the upper surface of the arm portion 3. Three thread spools 22b to 24b (see FIG. 2) are provided on the first thread stand 20 on the right side, and three thread spools 25b to 27b are provided on the second thread stand 21 on the left side. Further, the arm portion 3 is provided with a thread guide 28. Therefore, at the time of sewing, the thread spools 29 are attached to the thread spools 22b to 27b, and the upper thread extending from the thread spools 29 passes through a predetermined thread path, and the corresponding thread tensioners 12 to 17, the balance 10 and the like. And finally supplied to the sewing needle 9.

  The arm unit 3 is provided with a foldable operation panel 30. The operation panel 30 is provided with a switch group 30b including a display 30a, a needle bar switch for instructing to switch the needle bar 8 to be driven up and down, and a plurality of switches such as a threading switch for automatically threading. ing. However, a touch panel is provided on the front surface of the display 30a.

  Next, the configuration of the left and right pair of first and second thread stand 20 and 21 will be described. In this case, since the two first and second thread stand 20 and 21 are similarly configured, the right first thread stand 20 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the first thread stand 20, there are three circular pedestals 22a to 24a in a plan view, and vertically oriented thread stand rods 22b to 24b integrally formed with these pedestals 22a to 24a. And are provided. These three integrally formed pedestals 22a to 24a and thread spools 22b to 24b are made of transparent or translucent synthetic resin. First to third thread stand lamps 32 to 34 made of full-color LEDs are respectively embedded in the central portions of the pedestals 22a to 24a, that is, the lower ends of the thread stand rods 22b to 24b. Here, thread spool felts 22c to 24c for stably mounting the thread spool 29 are arranged on the upper sides of the pedestals 22a to 24a.

  These first to third thread stand lamps 32 to 34 receive drive signals from a control device 50 described later, and emit light with full-color colored light. In other words, the colored light is transmitted to the entire pedestals 22a to 24a and the spool pins 22b to 24b to emit light. Therefore, even when the thread spool 29 is attached to the thread spools 22b to 24b, the operator can easily see the colored light from the upper ends of the thread spools 22b to 24b and the outer peripheral parts of the bases 22a to 24a. be able to.

  The other second thread stand 21 is configured in the same manner, and fourth to sixth thread stand lamps 35 to 37 made of full-color LEDs are embedded in the lower ends of the thread stand rods 25b to 27b. Unique colored light can be visually recognized for each of the bars 25b to 27b.

Next, the configuration of the thread tensioners 12 to 17 will be described. In this case, since the six thread tensioners 12 to 17 are similarly configured, the right thread tensioner 12 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, the thread tensioner 12 includes a cylindrical thread tension base 12a having an upper wall, a thread tension shaft 12b erected at the center of the thread tension base 12a, and the thread tension shaft 12b. The adjusting knob 12c screwed to the upper side of the upper part of the thread tension base 12a, and the movable dish urged toward the fixed dish 12d by the compression coil spring 12e at the lower end of the adjusting knob 12c. 12f etc.

  In this case, the adjusting knob 12c is made of a transparent or translucent synthetic resin, and the thread tension shaft 12b is formed with a hollow through hole, and a first thread made of a full color LED is formed at the upper end of the through hole. A tone lamp 42 is provided. The first thread tension lamp 42 receives a drive signal from a control device 50 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, and emits light with full-color colored light.

  That is, the adjustment knob 12c emits light by the emission of full-color colored light from the first thread tension lamp 42. Therefore, the worker can easily see this colored light from the outside. Similarly, the second to sixth thread tension lamps 43 to 47 made of full-color LEDs are respectively provided in the other thread tensioners 13 to 17, and the operator emits specific colored light for each of the thread tensioners 12 to 17. Visible.

Next, the control system of the multi-needle type embroidery sewing machine M will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.
The control device 50 that controls the multi-needle type embroidery sewing machine M includes a microcomputer including a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, and an electrically rewritable nonvolatile flash memory (F / M) 54.

  The control device 50 includes a start / stop switch 55, a timing signal generator 56 for detecting the rotational position of the sewing machine spindle, an operation panel 30, a drive circuit 69 for the sewing machine motor 63, and a needle bar changing motor 64. Drive circuit 70, a drive circuit 71 for a thread cutting motor 65 for driving the thread cutting mechanism, a drive circuit 72 for a threading motor 66 for driving the threading mechanism, and an X provided in the carriage driving mechanism. Drive circuits 73 and 74 for the shaft drive motor 67 and the Y-axis drive motor 68 are connected to each other.

  In addition to the first to sixth thread stand lamps 32 to 37 and the first to sixth thread tension lamps 42 to 47, the first to sixth thread break sensors 57 to 62 are connected to the control device 50. Has been. Here, the first to sixth thread break sensors 57 to 62 are not shown in the figure, but are provided in the respective thread tensioners 12 to 17, and detect the thread breakage of the upper thread supplied from the thread spool 29 to the balance 10. It can be detected individually.

  The ROM 52 (which corresponds to the sewing data storage means) has a drive control program for controlling these motors 63 to 68 for executing embroidery sewing, a plurality of types of sewing data for embroidery sewing, and a thread specific to the present application described later. Stores a control program for color display control. Here, in each sewing data, as shown in FIG. 5, the needle drop position at the time of sewing is shown for each sewing region (A1 to A7) formed continuously with the upper thread of the same thread color. Needle drop point data and thread color data (this corresponds to thread color information) indicating the thread color of the upper thread to be used for sewing are stored.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the flash memory 54 includes six needle bars 8, thread colors of upper threads set on each of the needle bars 8, and first to sixth thread stand lamps 32 to 32. 37 and a needle bar thread color table in which the first to sixth thread tensioner lamps 42 to 47 are associated with each other are stored. Here, as the thread color corresponding to each needle bar 8, the thread color of the upper thread used for the first embroidery sewing and the second, third,... The thread color of the upper thread is set.

  For the first thread color in the needle bar thread color table shown in FIG. 6, the operator selects each needle bar by referring to the needle bar thread color displayed on the display 30a when a pattern is selected. Thread the upper thread of the specified thread color every 8th thread. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the flash memory 54 stores a colored light table in which RGB values for coloring the thread color with colored light are preset and stored for each thread color.

  The RAM 53 is provided with a sewing data memory for storing sewing data to be used for sewing, a sewing thread color memory shown in FIG. 8, and various other memories as required. In this sewing thread color memory, all thread colors included in the sewing data of the embroidery pattern selected for embroidery sewing are read and stored in the sewing order at the start of sewing.

  Next, thread color display control executed by the control device 50 of the multi-needle type embroidery sewing machine M will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. However, in the figure, reference sign Si (i = 11, 12, 13,...) Represents each step.

  When the embroidery pattern selection screen is displayed on the display 30a, this control is started. First, an embroidery pattern selection process for selecting a desired embroidery pattern is performed by the operator (S11). Next, based on the sewing data of the selected embroidery pattern, all the thread colors included in the sewing data are read and stored in the sewing thread color memory (S12). Next, the six thread colors used for sewing stored in the sewing thread color memory are compared with the first thread color stored in the needle bar thread color table (S13).

  In this verification process, if the six thread colors used in the previous embroidery sewing match the six thread colors used in the current embroidery sewing, there is no need to change the thread. However, if the six thread colors used in the previous embroidery sewing do not match the six thread colors used in the current embroidery sewing, the thread needs to be changed. Therefore, when it is not necessary to change the thread (S14: No), the first to sixth thread stand lamps 32 to 37 and the first to sixth thread tension lamps 42 to 47 corresponding to the six colors used for sewing, Is lit with colored light based on the first thread color in the needle bar thread color table (S15).

  At this time, the lamp flags provided corresponding to the first to sixth thread standup lamps 32 to 37 and the first to sixth thread tension lamps 42 to 47 are set to “flag data = 1”. Next, when the activation stop switch 55 is activated (S16: Yes), the sewing machine motor 63 is driven, and the first one-color sewing process (see FIG. 10) is executed (S17).

  When the sewing control for one color is started, first, the selected needle bar 8 is driven up and down, and the sewing process for one stitch is performed with the upper thread of the thread color threaded on the needle bar 8. Is executed in the sewing areas (A1 to A7) (S31). If no thread break signal is input from any of the first to sixth thread break sensors 57 to 62 by this sewing process and the upper thread used for sewing does not break (S32: No), one color If the sewing process for the minute has not been completed (S33: No), S31 to S33 are repeated to execute the sewing process. When the sewing process for one color, that is, the sewing process in any one of the sewing regions (A1 to A7) is completed (S33: Yes), the process returns to S18 of the thread color display control.

  However, if a thread breakage signal is received from the thread breakage sensors 57 to 62 corresponding to the currently used upper thread during the sewing process for one stitch and a thread breakage occurs (S32: Yes), the sewing machine motor An interruption process such as stopping the driving of 63 is executed (S34), and the thread tension lamps 42 to 47 corresponding to the upper thread where the thread breaks change from the lighting display to the blinking display (S35).

  At this time, the operator notices the occurrence of thread breakage by the blinking display of the thread tension lamps 42 to 47, and prepares the upper thread where the thread breakage occurs again, and then the operator operates the threading switch. If it is determined (S36: Yes), as described above, the threading process for threading the stitches of the sewing needle 9 is executed (S37). As a result, the thread tension lamps 42 to 47 corresponding to the threaded needle bar 8 are lit (S38). Thereafter, the sewing process is executed continuously from S31 to S33 from the needle drop position when the thread breakage occurs.

  Next, in the thread color display control, when the sewing process for one color is completed, the thread color of the upper thread used for the sewing process of S17 is used for the subsequent sewing (S18: Yes), S14. The subsequent steps are executed repeatedly. However, when not used for subsequent sewing (S18: No), the thread-colored thread stand lamps 32-37 and the thread tension lamps 42-47 are turned off (S19).

  At this time, the lamp flags of the thread stand lamps 32 to 37 and the thread tension lamps 42 to 47 which have been turned off are reset to “flag data = 0”. Next, when the embroidery sewing process is not completed (S20: No), S14 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed. When the embroidery sewing process is completed (S20: Yes), S11 and subsequent steps are repeatedly executed.

  By the way, when the thread change is necessary at the start of sewing (S14: Yes), a thread color setting process for thread change is executed for each needle bar 8 (S21). In this thread color setting process, the first thread color in the needle bar thread color table is changed and set based on the thread color stored in the sewing thread color memory. Next, based on the first thread color of the new needle bar thread color table set by changing in S21, the thread stand lamps 32 to 37 and the thread tension lamps 42 to 47 that require thread change are changed. It is displayed blinking with the new colored light of the new thread color (S22). In this case, among the needle bars 8 whose lamp flag has been reset, the needle bar 8 with a smaller needle bar number is preferentially selected as the needle bar 8 for changing threads.

  Therefore, the operator removes the thread spool 29 of the thread stand lamps 32 to 37 blinking, attaches the thread color thread spool 29 blinking to the thread stand 20, 21, and prepares for threading. To do. When the needle bar changeover switch is operated so that the needle bar 8 from which the upper thread has been removed is positioned at the sewing position (S23: Yes), as described above, the needle bar change motor 64 is driven to change the needle bar. A needle bar switching process is executed by the mechanism (S24).

  Next, when the threading switch is operated by the operator (S25: Yes), the threading motor 66 is driven, and a threading process is performed in which the threading mechanism performs threading through the eye of the sewing needle 9 ( S26). As a result, the thread stand lamps 32 to 37 and the thread tension lamps 42 to 47 corresponding to the threaded needle bar 8 are respectively lit and displayed with colored light (S27). Also at this time, the lamp flags of the thread stand lamps 32 to 37 and the thread tension lamps 42 to 47 that are lit up are set to “flag data = 1”.

  As a result, when there are the thread stand lamps 32 to 37 and the thread tension lamps 42 to 47 blinked in S22 (S28: Yes), S23 to S28 are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if there are no blinking lamp stand lamps 32 to 37 and thread tension lamps 42 to 47 (S28: No), the upper thread for six colors used for the next and subsequent sewing is applied to the six needle bars 8. Since it is threaded, S16 and subsequent steps are executed.

  Here, the first to sixth thread stand lamps 32 to 37 correspond to a plurality of first display means which are light emitting means, and the plurality of second displays whose first to sixth thread tension lamps 42 to 47 are light emitting means. Corresponds to means. The control device 50 that executes S15, S22, and S27 of the thread color display control corresponds to the first display control means.

Next, an operation for displaying the thread color of the upper thread in the sewing process will be described.
When the embroidery pattern is selected, all the thread colors included in the sewing data of the embroidery pattern are read out and stored in the sewing thread color memory in the order of reading. At this time, it is checked whether all of the six thread colors from the first among the plurality of colors stored in the sewing thread color memory are already stored in the needle bar thread color table.

  That is, since the thread colors for the six colors used in the previous embroidery sewing are set in the needle bar thread color table, the thread colors for the six colors are compared with the thread colors in the sewing thread color memory. As a result of this collation, for example, the number of thread colors in the sewing thread color memory is 7 colors (orange, red, blue, green, yellow, purple, white) as shown in FIG. 8, and the needle bar thread shown in FIG. When the six thread colors set in the color table are “orange, red, blue, green, yellow, purple”, these six thread colors (orange, red, blue, green, Yellow, purple) match, but the seventh color “white” does not match, so “white” is added to the second thread color of the needle bar number “1” of the thread color “orange” used earlier. Is set.

  In this case, since the six colors (orange, red, blue, green, yellow, purple) that are the first thread colors match, the six first to sixth thread stand lamps 32 to 37 and the six first colors All of the sixth thread tension lamps 42 to 47 are lit and displayed with colored light. Therefore, the operator can check the colored light that is lit and displayed on the first to sixth thread stand lamps 32 to 37 and the thread color of the installed thread spool 29.

  By the way, when it is necessary to change the upper thread of the first needle bar 8 when the sewing process for one color is completed for the first color “orange”, the second thread of the needle bar thread color table is used. Based on the color “white” and the needle bar number “1”, the first thread stand lamp corresponding to the first needle bar 8 and the first thread tension lamp are respectively blinked with “white” colored light. Is done.

  Therefore, the operator removes the thread spool 29 of the thread stand 20, 21 blinking in “white”, replaces it with the “white” thread spool 29 and prepares for threading, and then switches the needle bar. When the switch is operated and the first needle bar 8 is selected, the threading switch is operated to prepare “white” upper thread on the first needle bar 8.

  Also in this case, the thread color to be replaced can be easily recognized by the colored light of “white”, and the thread spool 29 can be replaced with the thread spooling rods 22b to 27b of the first and second thread stand 20 or 21. It is easy to see what should be done, and there is no mistake in threading the thread tensioners 12 to 17 for threading.

  Of course, when no thread color is set in the needle bar thread color table shown in FIG. 6, the needle bar thread color table is based on the plurality of thread colors stored in the sewing thread color memory of FIG. Further, the first thread color, the second thread color, the third thread color,... Are respectively set, and colored light based on the six thread colors set as the first thread color is first selected. Since the first to sixth thread stand lamps 32 to 37 and the six first to sixth thread tension lamps 42 to 47 are respectively displayed, the plurality of thread spools 29 used for embroidery sewing are not mistaken. It can be attached to the thread spools 22b to 27b, and the thread tensioners 12 to 17 corresponding to the thread spools 22b to 27b can be threaded without mistake.

  As described above, the first needle bar 8 includes a plurality of needle bars 8 for sewing with a plurality of upper threads, and a plurality of thread spool bars 22b to 27b on which a plurality of thread spools 29 corresponding to the plurality of needle bars 8 can be mounted. A multi-needle type comprising the second first thread stand 20 and 21 and a plurality of thread tensioners 12 to 17 provided on the yarn path extending from the thread stand 20 and 21 to the plurality of needle bars 8 In the embroidery sewing machine M, the ROM 52 storing the sewing data, the plurality of first to sixth thread stand lamps 32 to 37, and the control device 50 are provided. Therefore, when sewing the selected embroidery pattern, it is included in the sewing data. Based on the thread color data to be displayed, the thread color is displayed with colored light on the plurality of thread stand lamps 32 to 37 provided for each of the plurality of thread spool bars 22b to 27b. Therefore, the operator displayed the thread color of the thread spool 29 having the same thread color as the thread color indicated by the colored light displayed in this way without making a mistake with the other spool pins 22b to 27b. It can be easily and accurately attached to the thread spools 22b to 27b.

  Further, a plurality of first to sixth thread tension lamps 42 to 47 are provided in the plurality of thread tensioners 12 to 17, respectively, and the control device 50 performs a plurality of operations based on the thread color data included in the sewing data read from the ROM 52. Since the first to sixth thread tension lamps 42 to 47 are controlled to display a plurality of thread colors corresponding to the plurality of spool pins 22b to 27b with colored light, the worker can display the colors displayed in this way. The thread piece 29 having the same thread color as that indicated by the light is not mistaken for the other thread conditioners 12 to 17 and can be easily and accurately applied to the thread conditioners 12 to 17 displaying the thread color. Can be hung.

  Further, the control device 50 changes the display form displayed on the thread stand lamps 32 to 37 in accordance with the preparation state of the yarn spool 29 to the first and second thread stand 20 and 21 from the lighting display to the blinking display. Therefore, as a preparation before starting the sewing process, the display form blinks even when the thread spool 29 is attached to the spool pin 22b to 27b or when the thread spool 29 is replaced during the sewing. It can be easily and quickly attached to the spool pin 22b to 27b which is changed and is different from the normal display form without making a mistake.

  Further, each of the first to sixth thread stand lamps 32 to 37 and the first to sixth thread tension lamps 42 to 47 is composed of a full-color LED that is a light emitting means capable of emitting a plurality of colors of colored light. A large number of colored lights can be displayed, and a large number of thread colors can be indicated, and the operator can select the thread colors of the thread spools 29 to be mounted on the thread spools 22b to 27b and the thread tensioners 12 to 17. The thread color to be threaded can be recognized at a glance. Further, the first to sixth thread stand lamps 32 to 37 and the first to sixth thread tension lamps 42 to 47 made of LEDs can be reduced in size and are advantageous in terms of installation space and cost.

Next, a modified embodiment in which the above embodiment is partially modified will be described.
1) As shown in FIG. 11, on the first thread stand 20A, instead of full-color LEDs, small liquid crystal displays 80 to 82 (in which the thread color name and color number of the thread spool 29 can be displayed as character information) (This corresponds to a display device) may be incorporated corresponding to each of the thread spool bars 22b to 24b. In this case, the operator can accurately recognize the thread color name, color number, and the like of the thread spool 29 to be mounted on the spool pin 22b-24b from the character information. In particular, even when a plurality of yarn pieces 29 having very similar thread colors are mounted, they can be mounted easily and quickly without making a mistake. Although the illustration of the other second thread stand is omitted, a small liquid crystal display may be incorporated as in the case of the first thread stand 20A.

  The liquid crystal displays 80 to 82 may be color liquid crystal displays. In this case, not only the character information but also the thread color itself can be displayed in color, so that the visibility can be further improved.

2) As shown in FIG. 12, a thread stand 85 having a plurality of thread spool bars 85a to 85c is provided separately from the multi-needle embroidery sewing machine M, and is connected to the multi-needle embroidery sewing machine M with a connection cord. And may be used. Of course, also in this case, the thread stand 85 having the thread stand rods 85a to 85c is provided with the above-described thread stand lamp made of full-color LEDs (this corresponds to a plurality of third display means and is not shown). It has been.

  Then, the sewing data is stored in the ROM (which corresponds to the sewing data storage means) of the control device (which corresponds to the second display control means) of the multi-needle type embroidery sewing machine M, as in the above embodiment. The control means may perform control such that a plurality of thread colors corresponding to the plurality of thread spool bars 85a to 85c are displayed on the plurality of thread stand lamps based on the thread color information read from the ROM.

  Also in this case, by receiving the thread color display data from the multi-needle embroidery sewing machine M, the operator can remove the thread spool 29 having the same thread color as the thread color indicated by the colored light displayed on the thread stand lamp. Without being mistaken for the other thread spools 85a to 85c, the thread spools 85a to 85c on which the thread color is displayed can be easily and accurately mounted. However, a small liquid crystal display may be provided in place of the thread stand lamp.

  The thread stand 85 having such a configuration can be purchased as an optional product according to the needs of the sewing machine user. Further, the thread stand 85 may be connected to a single-needle embroidery sewing machine, a home sewing machine capable of embroidery sewing, or a sewing machine that performs normal sewing instead of the multi-needle embroidery sewing machine M. Good.

3) The plurality of first to sixth thread stand lamps 32 to 37 and the first to sixth thread tension lamps 42 to 47 described above are replaced with full-color LEDs, color lamps, organic EL displays, plasma displays, and electronic papers. By adopting various light emitting elements and indicators, the thread color can be displayed variably with colored light or character information.

  In addition, as for the liquid crystal displays 80 to 82, various displays such as an organic EL display, a plasma display, and electronic paper can be employed instead of the liquid crystal display.

4) The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and those skilled in the art can implement the present invention by adding various modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The present invention includes those modifications.

1 is an overall perspective view of a multi-needle embroidery sewing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a principal part vertical front view of a thread stand. It is a principal part vertical front view of a thread tension device. It is a block diagram of a control system of a multi-needle type embroidery sewing machine. It is a chart which shows the data structure of sewing data. It is a chart explaining the data structure of a needle bar thread color table. It is a chart explaining the data structure of a coloring light table. It is a chart explaining the data structure of a sewing thread color memory. It is a flowchart of thread color display control. It is a flowchart of sewing control for one color. It is a perspective view of a thread stand equipped with a small liquid crystal display. It is a perspective view of a thread stand as a separate body.

Explanation of symbols

M Multi-needle embroidery machine 8 Needle bar 12-17 Thread tensioner 20 First thread stand 21 Second thread stand 22b-27b Thread stand 29 Thread piece 32-37 Thread stand lamp 42-47 Thread tension lamp 50 Control Device 52 ROM
54 Flash memory 85 Thread stand

Claims (9)

A plurality of needle bars for sewing with a plurality of upper threads, a thread stand having a plurality of thread stands capable of mounting a plurality of thread spools corresponding to the plurality of needle bars, and a plurality of needles from the thread stand In a sewing machine comprising a plurality of yarn path path members provided on a thread path leading to a rod,
Sewing data storage means for storing sewing data including thread color information of at least the thread color of the upper thread; and a thread color provided in the thread stand in association with the plurality of thread spool bars and the thread color as colored light or character information A plurality of first display means variably displayable,
First display control means for controlling the plurality of first display means to display a plurality of thread colors corresponding to the plurality of thread spools based on the thread color information read from the sewing data storage means;
A sewing machine characterized by comprising:   A plurality of second display means are respectively provided in the plurality of yarn path path members or in the vicinity thereof, and the first display control means is based on the thread color information read from the sewing data storage means. 2. The sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is controlled to display a plurality of thread colors corresponding to the plurality of spool pins with colored light.   3. The sewing machine according to claim 1, wherein the first display control unit changes a display form displayed on the first display unit according to a state of preparation of the yarn spool on the yarn stand. 3.   The sewing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the first and second display means includes light emitting means capable of emitting colored light of a plurality of colors.   The sewing machine according to claim 4, wherein the light emitting means is formed of a full color LED.   The sewing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first display means includes a display capable of displaying a thread color name as character information.   A sewing machine having a plurality of needle bars for sewing with a plurality of needle threads has a plurality of thread spools capable of mounting a plurality of thread spools corresponding to the plurality of needle bars to supply a plurality of needle threads. A thread stand, comprising: a plurality of third display means capable of displaying a thread color by colored light or character information in association with the plurality of thread stand bars.   The sewing machine has second display control means for controlling the third display means, and sewing data storage means for storing sewing data including thread color information of at least the thread color of the upper thread, and the second display control means And controlling to display a plurality of thread colors corresponding to the plurality of thread spools on the plurality of third display means based on the thread color information read from the sewing data storage means. Item 8. The thread stand according to Item 7.   The thread stand according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the third display means comprises light emitting means capable of emitting colored light of a plurality of colors.